HEB Grocery Company has made a generous donation of 25 pallets of apples to the East Texas Food Bank (ETFB). This comes just in time for Hunger Action Month, a national initiative in September to raise awareness about food insecurity.
Hunger is a real issue in East Texas, where one in six people including one in four children face hunger every day.
Reaching 26 Counties With Fresh Food
The apples from HEB will be distributed through ETFB’s network of 200 food pantries and feeding programs spread across 26 counties. These include places like Smith, Gregg, Nacogdoches, and others throughout East Texas.
The donation will provide fresh, healthy food to thousands of families who rely on the food bank for support.
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Hunger In East Texas Is On The Rise
Food insecurity, or not knowing where your next meal will come from, is unfortunately becoming more common in East Texas. In 2022, the food insecurity rate in the region was 16.9%, which is higher than the national average of 13%. That number has climbed from 14.8% in 2021, and the rising cost of food only makes things harder for struggling families.
Right now, the average cost of a meal in East Texas is $3.17, about 40 cents higher than in 2021. While this is still lower than the national average, it’s a sharp increase, and for people already on tight budgets, it’s a big deal.
ETFB’s Impact: Millions Of Meals Served
The East Texas Food Bank works hard to meet the growing needs of the community. Last year alone, ETFB distributed 16 million pounds of fresh produce through mobile food pantries, partner agencies, and resource centers.
They served 208,000 households, making sure families didn’t go hungry. By the end of the year, they had provided a total of 31 million meals across the 26 counties.
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Focused Support In Key Locations
ETFB has opened four resource centers in areas with high food insecurity: Tyler, Texarkana, Longview, and Lufkin. These centers not only distribute food but also offer help with other resources.
They’re strategically placed in communities where the need is greatest, giving families easier access to fresh produce and support services.
More Than Just Food: Help with Benefits
In addition to food, ETFB also helps families apply for benefits like SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). Their counselors work with families to navigate the often-complicated application processes, making it easier for them to access the assistance they need.
Hunger Action Month: How You Can Help?
September is Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness about hunger in communities across the country. It’s also a chance for people to get involved in the fight against food insecurity. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, everyone can make a difference.
HEB’s donation of apples is a great example of how businesses can step up and make a positive impact. But there’s always more work to be done.
How To Support ETFB?
If you want to help the East Texas Food Bank, there are many ways to join in. You can donate food, money, or time by volunteering at one of their resource centers. Every little bit helps in the fight against hunger.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.easttexasfoodbank.org. Together, we can help make sure no one in East Texas goes hungry.
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